vinegary

/'vinigəriʃ/ Cách viết khác : (vinegary) /'vinigəri/

Thân thiện

The old man gave a vinegary reply to the cheerful greeting.

Definition

Adjective 1. Tasting or smelling like vinegar: Having the sharp, acidic taste or pungent smell characteristic of vinegar. 2. Having a sour disposition; ill-tempered: Used figuratively to describe a person who is irritable, sharp-tongued, or unfriendly.

Examples

• The salad dressing was unpleasantly vinegary.
• The old wine had turned vinegary and was undrinkable.
• She gave him a vinegary look when he interrupted her.
• His vinegary remarks made the meeting very uncomfortable.

Advanced Usage

• "a vinegary critic": A critic who is consistently harsh, sharp, and acerbic in their reviews.
  • The play was panned by the city's most vinegary critic.
• "a vinegary atmosphere": An environment or social situation characterized by tension, resentment, or ill will.
  • After the argument, a vinegary atmosphere lingered in the office for days.

Variants and Related Words

• Vinegar (n): The sour liquid from fermented wine, cider, etc., used in cooking and as a preservative.
  • She used apple cider vinegar in the recipe.
• Vinegarish (adj): An alternative, less common form meaning the same as "vinegary."

Synonyms

• Acidic: Sharp or sour in taste; (figuratively) bitter or sharp in tone.
• Acerbic: (Especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright, often in a critical way.
• Sour: Having an acid taste like lemon or vinegar; (of a person) resentful or bad-tempered.
• Tart: Sharp or acid in taste; (of a remark) having a sharp or cutting quality.

Related Phrases

• To have a vinegary tongue: To be habitually sharp-tongued or sarcastic.
  • Be careful what you say; the manager is known to have a vinegary tongue.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having a sour disposition; ill-tempered
2. tasting or smelling like vinegar

Từ đồng nghĩa

• vinegarish
• acetose
• acetous